It’s bright outside when I finally wake up. Oh, I how I love a day off after a couple of shifts in a row. Rolling over, I grab my phone and do a quick check of my messages while I stumble to the bathroom.

After a long, hot shower, I twist my hair up into a bun, then throw on some comfy clothes. Coffee is in my immediate future. A giant, frothy latte made by Tessa at the shop across the street—the third best thing about this apartment.

The first is just how big it is, and since I don’t have much stuff here, I get to enjoy the spacious expanse of it.

The second is that Bas is always downstairs with a ready smile for me.

With that in mind, I order him a coffee, too. While I’m waiting for those, I let Tessa draw me into a conversation. She’s just stuck her daily Tarot card on the wall. She likes to do a card reading for herself every morning after the rush.

“Why don’t you do it first thing?” I ask her.

“Some days, that early in the morning still feels like the day before, if that makes sense? And it’s so hectic and rushed. My mind isn’t clear and focused. And it’s something fun to do at my first lull.” She grins. “You want me to do a reading for you?”

I shake my head. “I’m good.”

“All right. Here you go, two lattes. You got your muffins already?”

I raise the paper bag. “Yep.”

“Have a great day, Meadow.”

“You too!”

Conversations like that make up for the thirty-minute commute into the city.

As does the view when I go to find Bas in his office. Technically, he lives in the other apartment upstairs, but this is his domain—a large, light-filled space behind the bar, with a gorgeous desk and a big-ass leather executive chair behind it, large enough for all of him and his smile, too.

He rocks back on the chair and spreads his arms wide. “How did you know I haven’t had coffee yet today?”

“A lucky guess,” I murmur as I hand his latte over to him. Even after six months, there’s still a sizzle against my skin when his fingers brush mine. I ignore it. We’re well past that.

A lovely friendship is way better than an unrequited crush.

“Are you working on the street party idea?” I curl up in the chair across from his desk and nod at the scatter of papers between us, all covered in pencil sketches of Duke Street, with the various shops on either side. “And also, how have you been this productive without caffeine?”

“I run on enthusiasm,” he says, like that’s normal.

My enthusiasm was murdered somewhere in the third year of residency. “I’m jealous,” I admit.

His brows pull together as he looks at me. “You okay?”

I smile brightly. It doesn’t matter. I still love my job. It’s just not party-planning level of fun. “Yep. So, Halloween is a go?”

“I think so.” He shrugs. “I’m just playing around with it. Not a big deal. Maybe it would be better to throw it at someone else. I’ll see if Tessa wants to do it.”

I swallow back the criticism that jumps to the tip of my tongue. It’s not my place to say, no, don’t give this up!

There’s so much to adore about Bas. His fire, his protectiveness, and the way he looks at you and everything else in the world disappears. Poof. It’s just you and him, and it would be so easy to get caught up in that.

Hell, I did, in a single second, when I first met him.

But.

But.

The man can’t commit to a single woman, a single plan, a single anything to save his life. He’s constantly coming up with the next great idea, and then he drops it—or hands it off to someone else—as soon as he gets bored.

I can’t imagine how much it would hurt to be handed off because he got bored of me.

No. That’s a lie. I can imagine, and that’s why I’ve never acted on my feelings for him.

My phone vibrates. I glance at the screen. It’s my cleaning lady.

“Sorry,” I say to Bas, sliding off the stool. “I have to get this.”

“Work comes first.” He grins.

I don’t correct him. Outside, I take a deep breath and answer the phone. “This is Meadow.”

“Sorry to bother you, Ms. Pedersen. I’ve just finished cleaning the unit and the previous guests seem to have taken the hairdryer with them.”

I sigh. “Okay, thanks for letting me know.”

“Would you like me to pick up a replacement?”

I shake my head even though she can’t see me. “It’s all right. I’ve got the day off, and it’s been a while since I’ve visited the condo. I’ll do it.”

Ending the call, I make sure my phone is on silent and head back inside.

“Everything okay?” Bas asks.

“Yep.” I slide back into my chair. “I need to head downtown in a bit. Something came up but it won’t take me long. I’ve got some time to finish going over the plans with you, if you want help.”

His warm gaze slides over my face. That right there. It’s scary how good it feels having his full attention. “You really like this idea, eh?”

“Yep.”

“Good.”

“If you want to give it to Tessa, I bet she’d be all over it.”

He strokes his beard slowly. My eyes catch on the hypnotic slide of his thick fingers against his skin. “No,” he says. “I think I want to keep this for myself. If you’re going to help me, that is.”

My breath catches in my throat and I nod. “Count me in.”